progress of legitimate business; that whereas the oysters are found to
be diseased; the gin-and-bitters intolerable; the champagne poisoned
by Louis Napoleon; and the sour krout absolutely indigestible, an
adjournment is thereby imperatively necessary. In consideration of all
the foregoing facts, the speaker moved that this Congress do adjourn
to the more congenial atmosphere of Aix-la-Chapelle. The motion was
carried with shouts of laughter, and the Congress broke up in the very
best humor, leaving Monsieur Souley in possession of the floor. In
addition to this, the King's Messenger was carried captive to the
first hotel and treated, while Noggs received orders to draw on Sam
for all outstanding bills.

"On the following morning the Congress took up its march for
Aix-la-Chapelle, resembling somewhat the children of Israel on their
historical pilgrimage. In straggling order did the grotesque train
wend its way,--Monsieur Souley mounted on the before-named jackass,
which, having so long been accustomed to Monsieur's riding,
obstinately refused to be mounted by my friend Buck, who was in
consequence seated on boxes '_one, two and three_,' which were placed
on a Dutch van, and drawn by two more docile donkeys, bringing up the
rear. The world knows the rest--that is, with one exception! Buck told
me, very confidentially, that the Congress had been fast enough for
anything; that Pierce was soft enough to think good would come of it;
and that he only put his signature to that remarkable document
proclaiming our natural right to Cuba with virtuous
reluctance,--merely to keep peace in the house!

CHAPTER XXI.

FASHIONABLE DEBTS AND FASHIONABLE DIPLOMATISTS.

"In days not altogether halcyon, I had a venerable great-uncle, a
quaint specimen of human infirmity, the singularity of the parish.
Though eccentric at times, he was not destitute of good qualities.
These, had they been properly applied, might have served to
distinguish him among men in what is pedantically called the higher
walks of life. But he had a fault, and one that is very unpopular even
at this day: he would get vexed at the short-comings of his neighbors,
at whom he would level truths exceedingly unpalatable. Indeed, he
never failed to put very keen edges on his sayings. Even now, I have
the old man in my mind's eye, as in the hey-day of youth my boyish
fancy sported with his infirmities. Never shall I forget his slender,
stooping figure; his bright